8 minute read

Come to Unearth the Magic of MENDOZA’S UCO VALLEY

Relish in Mendoza’s colorful mountains, harmonious vineyards, and clear blue skies. Become entranced by our land’s natural beauty.

Witness firsthand the vibrant changing of the seasons, watching as each grape matures and develops to form a vast, breathtaking vineyard. Unite with the earth and the spectacular landscape.

Casa de Uco Vineyards & Wine Resort is the result of a wonderful dream. A great vision inspired by the Uco Valley’s exceptional natural resources, where we honor the birthplace of Argentina’s most outstanding wines.

Situated across a 320-hectare estate, Casa de Uco is an innovative concept composed of the development of private vineyards, secluded villas constructed alongside the vines, an incredible winery, and an exclusive luxurious wine resort. Experience life on the vineyard surrounded by the majestic Andes Mountains, with superior services and amenities, and daily adventures.

We welcome all wine enthusiasts to unearth the magic of Mendoza’s Uco Valley, experiencing the region’s extraordinary wines, following the whole process from grape harvesting to the creation of a unique high-quality wine brand, under the careful eye of the industry’s top experts.

Resort

At Casa de Uco Vineyard & Wine Resort we invite our guests to live and breathe wine culture, in an unbeatable setting at the foothills of the Andes Mountains.

The essence of the hotel, an impressive structure inspired by the geography of the land and its natural surroundings, strives to provide the utmost

To achieve this farm-totable ideology, the kitchen team of cooks and chefs source all ingredients locally, working with neighbors, the local farmers, to create an international menu that still is 100% Uco Valley inspired level of comfort, while still unifying with the mountains, vineyards, and clear blue skies.

Inside the hotel, our accessible staff reinterprets traditional hospitality codes with an updated philosophy providing extremely personalized and friendly service.

Casa de Uco Wine Resort is comprised of 7 rooms, 9 suites, and 3 Villas, each with extraordinary views of the incredible landscape. Each room has been impeccably designed to maximize comfort and relaxation.

Restaurant

The magnificent food and wine program shines at the center of Casa de Uco Vineyards & Wine Resort. Executive chef and and culinary consultant Ana Ortuño have created a menu that honors the land and Uco Valley, driven by the seasonal ingredients grown directly in the organic vegetable garden. To achieve this farm-totable ideology, the kitchen team of cooks and chefs source all ingredients locally, working with neighbors, the local farmers, to create an international menu that still is 100% Uco Valley inspired.

Our gourmet universe extends to the “sector de Fuego”, for a true Argentine barbecue experience directly in the vineyard cooking over open flames. At night, our exclusive and magnificent bar, with a cocktail list designed by celebrated bartender Renato Giovannoni, becomes a destination for guests from other hotels in the area.

Organic Garden

The dishes in the restaurant are 100% inspired and created with produce from the seasonal organic garden. During summertime, the garden explodes with all different varieties of tomatoes and peppers, corn, squash, potatoes, cabbage, cucumber, and carrots while during colder months there is an abundance of swiss chard, spinach, broccoli, onion, garlic, radish, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, leeks, chicory, peas, beets, and fava beans. The herbs give off their beautiful aromas and intense flavors all year round: basil, mint, thyme, oregano, salvia, cedrón, rosemary, and cilantro. The garden is nourished with well water from the valley, giving off nutrients descending directly from the earth, without using any types of pesticides or herbicides. Fresh, healthy, energetic, powerful, and truly local, our garden is a prized possession.

Activities

We have designed a range of exciting activities that center around the incredible landscape, vineyard, and mountains. Guests can bask alongside the infinity pool, play tennis, horseback ride through the vineyard, go on bike or trekking excursions, or explore the ecological reserve and mountains. The absolute best: you’ll forget any notion of time and totally fall in love with the adventurous wine country lifestyle.

We also offer a range of indoor activities like Argentine cooking classes taught by our award-winning kitchen staff and wine tastings, led by the house sommelier who gives an insider’s look into some of the best wines of Mendoza.

The Uco Valley is the most sought wine region in all of Argentina, and Casa de Uco Vineyards and Wine Resort make for the ideal home base to discover the wonders of the area and Mendoza wine country.

Uco Spa

Our boutique spa offers vinotherapy and hydrotherapy treatments, techniques that hydrate and nourish the body with rich minerals extracted from 300 meters under the earth, and spring water packed with antioxidants that strengthen blood vessels and enhance circulation.

The spa is equipped with a cedar sauna, aroma steam room, wet sauna, deep soaking hydrotherapy baths, treatment rooms, interior and exterior relaxation areas, and an exercise room.

Relaxation and serenity continue outside with an infinity pool, jacuzzi, solarium, and peaceful lagoon.

Architecture

Sleek minimalistic style with a modern edge, elegant and sophisticated without pretension, where each space pays the utmost respect to the land – these are the elements that define both the communal areas and private refuges at Casa de Uco.

Natural and noble materials, concrete, native rocks, granite, and glass. Wood, leather, wool, warm, and soft materials that are pleasant to the senses – are the materials used to adorn the interiors. Accompanied by a minimalistic design, and a neutral palette with hints of the colors of the surrounding vineyards, the spaces are decorated to complement the landscape.

The project was designed and developed by the renowned Alberto Tonconogy Architectural Studio.

The building location was chosen based on the dried-up streams that surround the property. During placement, 400 m2of lagoons were formed. This emerged almost as a tectonic shift, in a random way, by a large green slab, as if the construction had emerged from the earth. In the eagerness to be rooted in the earth, the building extends a series of arms – ramps, paths, walkways, and pools.

In contrast with the characteristics of the stone outside, the façade to the south –chosen as the main orientation because it allows unobstructed views of the valley and vineyards without sun interference, which tends to be completely blinding-, received a light treatment, with the glass transforming into the skin of the façade. The west side of the building, also entirely glass, was protected by an umbrella system that automatically moved and gradually filters light.

Towards the north, fully exposed to the sun, the façade becomes blind, except for openings strictly necessary, drawn with precision. These frame the views emphasizing the picturesque landscape. The side facing the east was coated in stone, to fully integrate into the environment.

Being situated in an earthquake zone, the entire building is put together in separate structural parts, structurally isolated from each other, which coincide with particular internal functions. Each façade faces one cardinal point; a state that leads to four fully differentiated faces.

“It wasn’t an easy task to build in the midst of a vast semi-desert landscape, where there wasn’t anything except endless open space. So I thought to make something like telluric movements, from which emerges a grand slab as if the building was a natural product of the land, and that structure would be very simple. In that way, the hotel completely integrates into the topography of the land.” Alberto Tonconogy, Architectural Project Creator.

Interiors

Since the essence of the resort, sought to integrate with the land, and not compete with its natural surroundings, minimal work was done to the interiors in order to accompany the architecture, without invading it. Julia Tonconogy, Creative Director, led the interior designs and created a contemporary, stylish, yet relaxed space inspired by the environment. To accompany the mountains, vineyards, stones, and incredible views, it would important to develop a color palette to complement the landscape: earth tones, gray, green, natural textures which are friendly to all the senses, with wood, leather, wool, and handmade adornments.

It’s a comfortable, contemporary yet sophisticated setting that allows guests to take advantage of multiple lounges, soaking in the spectacular natural light and panoramic views.

Each piece of décor was designed especially for the project, hand-chosen for both aesthetics and functionality. Such pieces featured include a large table constructed by expert wood craftsman Fernando Moy.

Other design features:

• Hand-dyed pillows made by artist Ana Fuchs

• Contemporary Italian style furniture, with natural linens

• Hand-woven blankets

“Through contemporary design, we created a warm space where each room feels like home, while still adding our sophisticated and modern touch. The architecture merges with the landscape, and interior architecture. No one piece competes with each other, each element contributes so that the land, our earth, and nature remains the true protagonist.”

Julia Tonconogy, Creative Director

Real Estate

Make dreams come true by owning a Mendoza vineyard, in the most fertile region in Argentina: full production plots starting at 7,000m2 all managed by our staff who have years of experience working on the vineyard. Proprietors can decide the destiny of their grapes: whether they make their own wine with the guidance of distinguished Winemaker Alberto Antonini; sell their production, make a yearly profit; or a combination of both models.

“For many years we have developed the expertise producing premium wines, so now we want to advise wine lovers who may not be wine professionals. Our private vineyard project was created for wine enthusiasts to get hands-on experience in making their own wine. They can choose how much to become involved in the process, from the beginning stages of planting their grapes and working alongside our expert agronomists and enologists, to designing their personal wine labels and brand. It’s all about living the wine culture lifestyle with Casa de Uco.” Juan

Tonconogy, Project Manager

Winery

Our estate is outfitted with an exclusive boutique winery. With a keen eye for vanguard design and crafted with the latest in modern technology, we have created this wine sanctuary, bringing in specialists like Alberto Antonini, who has devoted his entire life to unraveling the secrets to making great wines. He brings his expert knowledge consulting the private vineyard owners at Casa de Uco Private Vineyards & Wine Resort.

The winery includes state-of-the-art equipment for wine production, harvesting, and creating fine wines. Spacious common areas with breathtaking landscape views offer a beautiful location for wine tastings and other events. The construction of the winery is in its final stages.

Location

Argentina, Mendoza Province, Village of Tunuyán, Vistaflores region. Nestled on the bank of the mighty Andes Mountains, Casa de Uco Vineyards & Wine Resort is set on 320 hectares of lush green land in the middle of the Uco Valley.

The Uco Valley is one of Mendoza’s best-kept secrets. A fertile phenomenon, it possesses supreme geographical conditions for growing grapes, known as Vinos de Altura. The country’s most renowned winemakers have landed in the area, making it the new hot spot for premium wines both in the region, and the entire country.

The combination of the ideal altitude at 1250 meters above sea level, a semi-desert climate with 330 days of sun per year, warm days, cool nights, alluvial soil with excellent drainage, and the purest aquifer in the region flowing freely to irrigate the vineyards of Casa de Uco, all result in the most ideal conditions for winemaking.

Currently, our vineyards stretch across 70 hectares mostly planted with Malbec, even though you will also find Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, Torrontes and Pinot Grigio.

Mendoza and Uco Valley

Since the 19th century, Argentina has been the most prolific country leading the wine industry. Mendoza, the Northeastern province, is considered one of the Nine Wine Capitals in the World (along with Rioja in Spain, Bordeaux in France, Cape Town in South Africa, and Napa Valley in the United States – www.greatwinecapitals.com).

Within Mendoza, the Uco Valley has reached notable recognition. The wines are some of the most celebrated in the world.

Casa de Uco – Staff

Head Wine Maker: Alberto Antonini. Cuisine & Wine Consultant: Ana Ortuño.

Creative Director: Julia Tonconogy.

Masterplan & Architecture: Estudio Alberto Tonconogy & Asociados.

Project Manager: Juan Tonconogy.